ch. vn] Botanical Description of Species 



55 



the shoot, varying much in relative length and breadth, but 

 always thin, and acute at the apex ; usually downwards rough ; 

 almost ribless. No keel to sheath or blade. Ligule long, erect,, 

 and rounded at apex ; no auricles. 



Flowers from July to September; culms from 1 to 2 feet 

 high; panicle erect, delicate, and spreading when in flower.. 

 Spikelets numerous, small, and one-flowered. Both palece are 

 present. Empty glumes acute and nearly equal. 



"Seeds" 1-3-2-0 mm. long; outer palea delicate, awnless, 

 and slightly notched at its apex. There is no rachilla, but a 

 basal tuft of fine erect hairs may be present. Grain of butter- 

 scotch colour visible between the palese. The empty glumes 



Kg. 34 Fig. 35 Fig. 36 



Fig. 34. Agrostis alba, L. var. stolonifera. x 10. A. Empty glumes. B. " Seed." 



G. Naked grain. 

 Fig. 35. Agrostis vulgaris, With, x 10. A. Back view, and B front view of 



" seed." The dotted line indicates the position and form of the grain. 



C. The empty glumes. 

 Fig. 36. Agrostis canina, L. x 10. A. Empty glumes. B. "Seed" showing 



outer palea and dorsal awn. 



may remain attached ; the lower one has its keel minutely toothed 

 along almost its entire length. (Fig. 34.) 



Another form of this species known as A. palustris (Marsh 

 Bent-grass) is a luxuriant variety found growing by the side of 

 ditches and ponds. It has a larger and more spreading panicle. 

 (Fig. 31.) 



Agrostis alba, L. var. repens. (Black Bent-grass) = A. nigra, 

 Withering. Very similar in foliage etc. to A. stolonifera but its 

 panicle is more loose and spreading. It also creeps extensively by 

 means of stout underground rhizomes — like those of Couch-grass. 

 It is a troublesome weed on arable soils. (Fig. 33.) 



